🚨Celtics Get a DOUBLE DOSE OF MAJOR NEWS On Damian Lillard & Al Horford

🚨Celtics Get a DOUBLE DOSE OF MAJOR NEWS On Damian Lillard & Al Horford

The Boston Celtics and Damen Lillard rumors are heating up. So on today’s show, we’re going to discuss the latest reports around Dame to be in town. And if you want Damen Lillard on the Boston Celtics, you got to do one thing for me. Manifest it. Go down below and hit that thumbs up icon. Like today’s video. [Music] What’s going on green teamers? You’re watching Celtics Today by Chat Sports and I am your host Tyler Smith. And on today’s show, are we actually signing Damen Lillard? It feels like per the latest reports that we have heard following the Celtics be on being on a short list of teams to have interest in Damen Lillard who does have a torn Achilles right now. But the latest report that we’ve heard from a Celtics insider feels like there could be some real mutual interest between Boston and Dame. And here’s what Adam Himlsbach of the Boston Globe had to say. He said, “League sources said that the Celtics are among a group of teams that have shown early interest in signing the ninetime all-star.” A league source also made it clear that Lillard could have interest in Boston, too, citing his respect for the organization and his long friendship with Jason Tatum. Now, Adam Himlsbeck is one of the most tapped in and most uh well-renowned Celtics beat reporters out there. He works for one of the highest level publications in in the entire city and and he’s not publishing nonstories. He’s not going out there and just throwing in that little blurb quote into his story if it was a complete nothing burger. No, this has real juice and real legs to it. And I’m interested to see how it all develops over the next couple of days as the Celtics are trying to kind of figure out their free agency stuff. Um the other teams that are interested in Lillard as well, the Warriors like they’re trying to figure out their free agency stuff as well. So th this is a very interesting situation considering Lillard won’t even be on the floor in 2526. and the teams that are interested. I was kind of reading up on the whole situation and trying to read in between the lines a little bit. Teams are trying to get Dame on this 2-year deal because he was waved and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks and in each of the next five seasons the Bucks are crippling themselves for $22.5 million paid out to Damen Lillard in each of those years. So, I’m I’m I am curious as to what kind of contract dollar amount uh on a new team that Damen Lillard would earn. I wonder if they could do something where, you know, he gets paid like a league v league vet minimum in 2526 and then maybe goes up to like a a mid-level exception contract in 26 27. Granted, he will be 36 years old. Um, so who knows if he will deserve that type of money plus the 22 and a half that he’ll be getting. But the focus for these teams that are interested in Damen Lloyd right now is that they’re trying to secure a two-year deal, rehab him, get him in the building right now, embrace, you know, integrate himself into the team culture and then 2627 comes around and he could be out there on the basketball court. And look, we know the Celtics are no strangers to an Achilles tendon injury as of late as Jason Tatum will be recovering from his uh injury this next whole season. He’s already been getting a bunch of work done in the Hourback Center, spending his summer in Boston along with Jaylen Brown. The vibes are really, really great all things considered in the Celtics building this off seasonason. And the rehab collab, I’m calling it, would be absolutely insane if they were documenting, you know, the path that these these guys rode to recoveries from the same exact injury, suffered around the same exact time frame. I think it would it would it would do numbers for sure. But it would be awesome to see these guys who were teammates and friends playing with Team USA multiple times. um to you know have have this opportunity to embrace this challenge together and you know this is a really damaging injury when it comes to your mental game as well. Like tons of people think that Achilles injuries are death sentences in the NBA. So to have somebody else there a Hall of Fame level talent kind of going through it with you would would honestly probably do benefits for the both of these two guys. Now Mark J. Spears did kind of comment on the whole Dame situation. He was ranking his preferred or you know list of destinations that he thinks most likely are to sign Damen Lillard and he said this. He said there’s another guy right there in JT that Dame could rehab with in terms of the Achilles. They’re good friends. If you think about it two years from now with that team with Dame at point guard, they’re a championship caliber team again. And that’s where I push back a little bit. Um, we don’t know what type of player that Jason Tatum is going to come back from with uh from his Achilles injury, let alone a 36-year-old Damen Lillard coming back from an Achilles injury. Um, there’s no telling how how high of a level he will be at at the next time that he steps out there on the basketball court. But look, his his reputation and his resume speaks for itself when it comes to what you’re trying to get when he returns back in 2627. Because look, the the offensive numbers in Milwaukee this past year were really really solid after, you know, maybe a lackluster first season spending that he spent with Giannis up in Milwaukee. He put out 25 points a game, seven assists, like 37 38% from three. Like that is really good no matter how you shake it. And we know how Dame’s got unlimited range. You look back to 22 23 when his last season in Portland, the guys averaging 32 a game. Like played less than 60. I think they got shut down when he really got frustrated with the with the direction of the organization. But like this is like 30 points, seven assists. You can count on Damen Lord getting that when he is healthy, but there’s no there’s no guarantee that he’s going to be healthy at this point. And Mark Spears did rank the Celtics as the number five destination for Damen Lillard. But to me, it kind of feels like it’s it’s the Celtics, it’s the Heat, it’s the Golden State Warriors there in the driver’s seat to get Damon for a couple different reasons, right? Like Miami was the team that was hardpressed at pursuing him when the whole Bucks trade went down. Like remember it was the summer of Dame to Miami. It was never the summer of Dame to Milwaukee. So they were heavily pursuing him and I’m sure and and it is reported that they do still have interest uh the Warrior side of things. Dame’s an Oakland guy. He’s from the Bay Area and I’m sure he he Steph Draymond Jimmy Butler, they’re all good friends. He actually wanted to play with Jimmy when uh those Miami rumors were going down. So he had that opportunity potentially in Golden State. And then the Celtics thing get to rehab with Tatum. could potentially be on a really really good team down the line uh in 26 27 and who knows maybe beyond. Dame ends up retiring with the next team that he signs with. But then you kind of think about it from the Celtics point of view and you’re like, well, they have a point guard kind of moving up the depth chart a little bit this off seasonason and that is Payton Pritchard. And how awkward does this make it for, you know, PP when Lillard comes in spending this year on the shelf and then 2627 comes around and you know the presump the presumption around the media and NBA league circles is that Dame’s going to step into the starting point guard role. Well, Peyton Pritchard kind of is I would assume you know tapping into his mind. and he assumes he’s going to be the starting point guard for years to come in Boston. So, like if you bring in Dame, it just kind of creates a little bit of like uncertainty as as for Peyton Pritchard’s long-term prospects and his role with this team. He just won six man of the year. And look, maybe those guys don’t always translate into great long-term starters, but I think Pritchard has proven time and time again that he gets better every single season. And you know, the next step up would be entering that starting lineup full-time. And in a gap year, I think we could see a 20 point per game season from Mr. Pritchard. He said this about the gap year coming up. See, we will put a good team together, a lot of competitors and people who will go out there and lay it on the line every night. And I believe people will elevate their game and have bigger roles, especially with JT being out until he comes back and they should take full advantage of it and be ready for those opportunities. We will compete. I feel like Peyton Pritchard is probably talking a little bit about himself in that quote there a little bit. Is he going to be the long-term starter? I I wouldn’t be mad at it, man. This is a guy who’s been hungry every single place that he goes. is like you a four-year starter at the University of Oregon comes into the league and not really given an opportunity for quite a while as a late first round draft pick on an already really competitive team and he was seen spot minutes really didn’t get to much opportunity in the postseason early on in his career and then each of the last two seasons he has been an integral part to Boston success and the numbers don’t jump out of the page as far as what he did in the Celtics championship season but he has played an average of 81 games each of the past two seasons three of the past four years he’s played 71 games or more. This is a guy who doesn’t get hurt. He’s an iron man and he’s going out there and doing whatever it takes to win. And that is uh his elite outside shot. 41% clip this season. Um and and think about the volume he was doing it on. Seven threes a game. I think Zack Lavine was the only player who shot the three at that volume with a higher percentage this past year. And I I actually have to fact check that. I find it hard to believe that Zack Lavine shot 41% from three. But regardless, Pritchard, man, he was a sniper. He’s got a limited range. He’s got good feel for the game. and honestly has gotten bigger and and improved as a defender. Just his overall size is going to limit him in that department. But I I do think he’s ready to take the reigns as a starter for Boston. But if you bring in Dame, things get complicated a little bit. So if you had to choose for 2627, not this upcoming season, pick in 2627 the starting point guard of the Boston Celtics. If it’s Damen Lord, give me a dame down below. If it’s Peyton Pritchard and you think PP deserves it, give me a PP down in the comments section. We’ll talk more Celtics free agency rumors in just a moment, but make sure you guys get hooked up with the good times and this shirt that’s commemorating the 2024 Celtics Championship runs. Got the caricatures of all the players that were contributing on that squad and you can get at this link right here. Oh yeah, and it’s half off. It was $38. Wait, more than half off? Are you serious? Kidding me? Oh my goodness. That chatports.com/champs sale. Get it at that link which is in the comment section and description of today’s video as well. Go get yourself a fresh Celtics 2024 champ shirt for the low today. All right, man. I think this is um going to be the swan song a little bit with Al Horford here as it seems like he’s gone. It seems like Al Horford’s last game as a Boston Celic has already been in the books. Who knows though, he could end up signing a one-year deal with whatever new team that he decides to go to uh and then coming back for one last ride with JT and the crew in 2627, but I’m not so sure that that’s even all that likely. All signs at this point point to Al Horford leaving the Boston Celtics in free agency. So I just want to take you guys through a timeline here of everything that we’ve heard basically ever since the moratorum opened back on Monday, June 30th. So Michael Scott originally reported as Al Horford was set to hit unrestricted free agency and the Celtics were tied up with their financial books, it was going to already be very very difficult in order for the Celtics to retain Horford this off season. Scott of Hoopsite who’s had a monster summer with all the scoops this this year says that Horer receiving interest from the Celtics, the Warriors, the Knicks, the Nuggets, and the Cavs in free agency. Now, a couple of those teams you can kind of cross off the board already. The you maybe can cross off the Celtics, but you can cross off the Knicks who signed Gershan Yabisellle as well as Jordan Clarkson. You can cross off the Nuggets who’s who traded for Jonas Valenunis to back up Al Nicole Joic. And you can probably cross off the Cavs as well. uh they’re darkhorse but um I’m not so sure that they’re in the business of making an alhor deal at this point. We haven’t heard any buzz ever since that original report on Monday but the Warriors Celtics are still in the mix. And then we had heard that the Lakers were already in were in talks as well. Mark Stein reported that Horford was quote unquote the leading target for the Warriors. We eventually heard that um Anthony Slater called him the preferred target of the Warriors. So, like they’re they’re definitely getting aggressive when it comes to signing Al and The Athletic then reported that Al Horford is under quote unquote serious consideration by the Los Angeles Lakers. But then we move on to Wednesday yesterday and Brian Winhor reported that, you know, Horford was between Golden State signing with the Lakers or straight up retiring. It didn’t seem like Boston was kind of in the cards anymore as they’re already back over the second apron. I don’t know what type of money they’d be able to free up in order to fit Horford back on their books. And with some of the money that some of these centers gotten free agency like Brook Lopez getting 9 million, Looney getting 8 million, Horford deserves 10 million if you’re asking me. And then he’s also said that Golden State is quote unquote very aggressive. You know, kind of the same thing that we’ve heard here, building more and more like Horford to Golden State is like the likeliest option. And then the Lakers went out there and signed DeAndre Aton. And now they did say that that a couple reports came out and said that the Lakers are still interested in Al Horford. But I’m sure Al and his, you know, camp probably want as big of an opportunity as they could possibly get as a contributor. So it doesn’t seem like he is that keen on the Lakers at this point. Then we move into later on Wednesday night and the ringer and Bill Simmons was on his podcast with Rob Mahoney who knows you know some sources around the league and he says Alex Golden State is quote treated as a foregone conclusion around the league right now. And Anthony Slater said his final report of the night uh you know talking about the Jonathan Kaminga stuff from that end but he closed it with Warriors are quote waiting on Al Horford’s decision. So in conclusion it’s Golden State or retirement for big Al does not look like he’ll be wearing Celtic green in 2526. Who knows there’s a outside pipe dream chance that he ends up playing for the Celtics for his final NBA season maybe in 2627 but I would not hold my breath on that. With that being said, this is a player who I have loved ever since he dawned the Celtics jersey back in 2016. Made us a free agency destination, won the championship, has been through the good, has been through the bad, and and I I love Al for life, man. Uh if you ask me, he should have his jersey retired. Will he? I’m not so sure, but uh maybe may maybe retire it for him down in the comments section. Show some love. Type those 42s down for me. Show love to Al Horford. No bad blood whatsoever. I want Al to win another ring, and I want him to win all the rings. I want him to go to the Hall of Fame. Like I love Al Horford and best wishes to him in his next endeavor. That will do it for today’s edition of Celtics Day by Chat Sports and we’re going to keep you locked in with whatever happens. If Al ends up signing with Golden State, we’ll give you guys the news and if anything happens with Boston making a trade or any other moves this summer, we’re going to keep you guys locked in. So, hit that subscribe button. We’ll see you guys all in the next one. And as always, let’s go seize. [Music]

Boston Celtics News Today comes after Damian Lillard was waived by the Bucks, and rumors have started heating up around a possible Celtics signing Lillard in 2025 NBA Free Agency. Boston Celtics free agency has been interesting so far, with Brad Stevens and the Celtics signing Luka Garza and Josh Minnott. Al Horford free agency rumors are actually heating up as multiple NBA insiders view the Warriors signing Al Horford as a foregone conclusion. Celtics Today host Tyler Smith breaks down all the latest Celtics rumors and news around Damian Lillard and Al Horford on today’s Boston Celtics YouTube video.

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Damien Lillard Last 4 Seasons:
– 2021-22 Stats (29 GP): 24 PPG, 7.3 APG, 40.2 FG%, 32.4 3P%
– 2022-23 Stats (58 GP): 32.2 PPG, 7.3 APG, 46.3 FG%, 37.1 3P%
– 2023-24 Stats (73 GP): 24.3 PPG, 7 APG, 42.4 FG%, 35.4 3P%
– 2024-25 Stats (58 GP): 24.9 PPG, 7.1 APG, 44.8 FG%, 37.6 3P%

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Adam Himmelsbach On Damien Lillard To Boston:
“League sources said that the Celtics are among a group of teams that has shown early interest in signing the nine-time All-Star. A league source also made it clear that Lillard could have interest in Boston, too, citing his respect for the organization and his long friendship with (Jayson) Tatum.”

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– PICK A STARTER IN 26-27: Type ‘DAME’ for Damian Lillard, Type ‘PP’ for Payton Pritchard
– Show some love to Al Horford in the comments! Type ‘42’

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Payton Pritchard Last 4 Seasons:
– 2021-22 Stats (71 GP): 6.2 PPG, 2 APG, 1.9 RPG, 41.2 3P%
– 2022-23 Stats (48 GP): 5.6 PPG, 1.3 APG, 1.8 RPG, 36.4 3P%
– 2023-24 Stats (82 GP): 9.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG, 38.5 3P%
– 2024-25 Stats (80 GP): 14.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.8 RPG, 40.7 3P%

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Deuce Tatum hand-selected these Boston Celtics YouTube videos for you to check out:
– Boston Celtics SIGNING Damian Lillard In NBA Free Agency? Celtics Rumors ARE HOT https://youtu.be/64_joEb8TUE
– 🚨Celtics Make SNEAKY GOOD Signing In NBA Free Agency + MORE MOVES COMING?! https://youtu.be/M4ra81F9mqc
– 🚨MAJOR Al Horford Free Agency UPDATE via NBA Insiders | Celtics Rumors

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